Hi
my names Jonny Red ( it really is! )
I know this has probably been covered before but I see no reason why not to revisit it.
The conventional means of clearing a swamped snorkel is by blowing out the intruded water either directly or via the one way valve. But in a choppy sea ( yes I know don't go out ) what you cant spare is breath you have only a limited amount - fail and you could possibly drown depending on conditions and your personal swimming capabilities. BUT what you do have is a load of spare mechanical energy, why not utilize this?
For example ( and it's only an example I'm sure you can devise alternative methods yourself ) imagine a disc held direct above snorkel input but at a distance. Now when you start to get water input, grasp the snorkel firmly with one hand and pull on either a rod (for straight snorkels ) or a cord ( for the more common curved ones ) there will be a distance covered before the disc engages the snorkel entrance this is utilized for the rod/cord to engage a flap cutting of the mouthpiece from the following process. As the rod/cord is drawn quickly down to its end point, close to the conventional one way valve, water will be driven out through this valve and the snorkel replenished with air. On releasing the rod/cord a return spring will take the disc back to its original position and at the final stage removing the blocking flap to mouthpiece, the disc will of course act as a one way valve to prevent a vacuum forming behind it.
Note this may have to be repeated AND IN THE EVENT OF FAILURE THE SNORKEI IS FREE TO BE CLEARED IN THE USUAL MANNER.
my names Jonny Red ( it really is! )
I know this has probably been covered before but I see no reason why not to revisit it.
The conventional means of clearing a swamped snorkel is by blowing out the intruded water either directly or via the one way valve. But in a choppy sea ( yes I know don't go out ) what you cant spare is breath you have only a limited amount - fail and you could possibly drown depending on conditions and your personal swimming capabilities. BUT what you do have is a load of spare mechanical energy, why not utilize this?
For example ( and it's only an example I'm sure you can devise alternative methods yourself ) imagine a disc held direct above snorkel input but at a distance. Now when you start to get water input, grasp the snorkel firmly with one hand and pull on either a rod (for straight snorkels ) or a cord ( for the more common curved ones ) there will be a distance covered before the disc engages the snorkel entrance this is utilized for the rod/cord to engage a flap cutting of the mouthpiece from the following process. As the rod/cord is drawn quickly down to its end point, close to the conventional one way valve, water will be driven out through this valve and the snorkel replenished with air. On releasing the rod/cord a return spring will take the disc back to its original position and at the final stage removing the blocking flap to mouthpiece, the disc will of course act as a one way valve to prevent a vacuum forming behind it.
Note this may have to be repeated AND IN THE EVENT OF FAILURE THE SNORKEI IS FREE TO BE CLEARED IN THE USUAL MANNER.